Starter-Motor Reverse Drive Assembly for Heavy Vehicle Maneuvering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large and heavy motorized vehicles, such as motorcycles, can be difficult to manually maneuver for parking or movement due to their size and weight, necessitating a parking assist drive system.
Innovation Solution
A powertrain assembly for motorized vehicles that includes a starter motor, a transmission with a main shaft and counter shaft, and a reverse drive assembly with a gear train and pivot carrier, allowing the vehicle to be propelled in reverse using the starter motor and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the vehicle is made large and heavy for adequate power and performance, then power and performance are improved, but manual maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The starter motor is designed to perform dual functions: starting the engine and providing reverse drive power. The starter motor can selectively couple to either the engine flywheel or the reverse drive gear train, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes and eliminating the need for a separate reverse drive motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse drive system merges the starter motor with the transmission gear train by providing a selective coupling mechanism. This allows the starter motor to be integrated with the existing transmission components, sharing space and functionality, rather than being a separate isolated system.
2Ease of operation
If a reverse drive system is added to enable reverse movement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The starter motor serves dual purposes as both an engine starter and a reverse drive motor. The selective coupling mechanism allows the same motor to power both functions, reducing overall system complexity by eliminating redundant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The reverse drive gear train is integrated with the existing transmission main shaft and counter shaft assemblies. The output gear of the reverse drive train meshes with the transmission gears, merging the reverse drive function with the existing transmission structure rather than creating a completely separate system.
3Ease of operation
If the starter motor is selectively coupled to the engine to start the engine, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential simultaneous operation of forward and reverse drive systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system includes interlocking logic that prevents simultaneous engagement of the engine starting function and reverse drive function. Before allowing reverse drive operation, the system ensures the starter motor is disengaged from the engine flywheel, and before allowing engine starting, the system ensures the reverse drive gear train is disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the starter motor and the two load options (engine flywheel and reverse drive gear train). This control system manages the selective coupling, ensuring proper sequencing and preventing conflicting operations by controlling when the starter motor can engage with each component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the motorized vehicle to be efficiently maneuvered in reverse, overcoming the challenge of manual maneuverability for large and heavy vehicles, while preventing simultaneous operation of forward and reverse drive systems to avoid damage.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse drive gear train in constant mesh with the motor shaft of the starter motor
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized vehicle has an engine operable to drive the motorized vehicle in a forward direction, a starter motor having an output shaft extending between a first end and a second end, the first end selectively engageable with the engine to start the engine, and a transmission having a main shaft with a main shaft gear and an output drive wheel. A reverse drive assembly includes an input and an output. The input is in constant mesh with the second end of the starter motor. The output is selectively engageable with the main shaft gear of the transmission to drive the motorized vehicle in a reverse direction.